HISTORY OF THE KNOX-GALESBURG SYMPHONY
The Knox-Galesburg Symphony (KGS) presented its first subscription series in 1951 at Beecher Chapel in Galesburg. As the Symphony audience grew, concerts were presented at Central Congregational Church, Harbach Theatre on Knox College campus, and now in the historical Orpheum Theatre. The KGS season has expanded from three to five subscription concerts, plus a non-subscription pops concert, and since 1984, the annual Concert on the Lawn, a free, outdoor performance outside Old Main on the beautiful Knox College campus. The Symphony also presents highly visible youth education programs each season including Music Mornings and Music Memories (since 1985); and launched in 1996 are the annual Young Pianists Competition and In-School Tours, with District 205 and Costa Catholic School coming on board in 2003.
The Knox-Galesburg Symphony’s mission is "to foster, promote and increase the musical knowledge and appreciation of the public by organizing and presenting performances of music in programs chosen chiefly from the literature of symphonic music." In support of new music the KGS performs many works by contemporary composers, and has actively commissioned works by Illinois artists, including the world premiere of a symphonic tribute to August M. Bondi, grandfather of the Galesburg Bondi family, written by the Symphony’s artistic director/conductor Dr. Bruce Polay, based on text by late author Martin Litvin. Initiated by Polay, in 1997, America’s contemporary music is supported through an "International Call for Scores."
The Knox-Galesburg Symphony is an integral part of this West-Central Illinois community. It brings to Galesburg outstanding instrumentalists from a radius of 100 miles, and draws guest artists of regional, national, and international stature. The KGS brings recognition to this community by offering professional standards and a wealth of literature often attributed to communities many times our size. Broadcasts of KGS concerts by public radio station WCBU in Peoria (IL), and the Symphony’s Internet web site promote and enhance the image of our community within and beyond our immediate region.
The Knox-Galesburg Symphony has been highly and consistently recognized including local, state, international and Presidential accolades. Its outstanding legacy has been complimented by numerous awards from the Illinois Council of Orchestras including Dr. Bruce Polay as three-time recipient of the Illinois Conductor of the Year Award, most recently the prestigious 2010 Conductor of the Year, Professional Orchestra Award. He has also been recognized with the coveted 2008 Illinois Cultural Leadership of the Year and 2006 Illinois Programming of the Year Awards; the KGS is a three-time recipient of the Illinois Orchestra of the Year, most recently in 2008; Pearl Strickland received the 2007 and 2000 Illinois General Manager of the Year; Robert Clark was named 2005 Illinois Board President of the Year; in 2001, Paul Keser was posthumously named 2001 Illinois Volunteer of the Year; and Illinois Meritorious Awards were presented to corporate sponsors Knox College and Wells Fargo Bank and in 2008 to NAEIR; Additionally in 2000, 1995, and 1990 Illinois Contributor of the Year Awards recognized outstanding corporate commitments. The KGS also received a recognition award from The International Trombone Association and various Certificates of Appreciation from the City of Galesburg, the Business Committee for the Arts and the Knox County Council for Developmental Disabilities.
Other highlights include sold-out performances in the world-Famous Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, Spain, in 1997. While in Spain, performances were also given in Lleida, Reus, and Girona. In 1998, after auditioning nine orchestras in Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Diego, and Europe, composer Eric Spier selected the KGS to perform his film score for a Columbia Tri-Star Home Video. As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration in 2001-2002, the KGS performed The Nutcracker with the Saint Louis Ballet. And in 2003, the KGS released its first compact disc - Golden.